Saturday, September 4, 2010

And we flew away

I am the youngest of the three chicks and I think I better wind up this long story, as some of you may be getting bored with this story of the birds.

The eldest one flew away 4 days ago. I don’t know exactly what happened but she was suddenly found out of the nest. She hopped on to the pudina (mint) pot

and from there on to the bamboo fence and then flew into the tree nearby.

(Mrs H clicked the above two pictures) So mama had a double job of feeding us as well as the one in the tree.

Mama is a stickler for keeping the nest clean and when ever she does that, one of us chicks has to step out. So there I stand outside while mama does the house keeping.

Mama is so busy with the cleaning that papa flies in to feed me. Now that is what I call a family photo, well almost, with all four of us in the frame (except for the eldest one who flew away)

After the feeding session papa flew away. But before mama flies away, she just hangs around to see that I am safely back in the nest.

In one of the cleaning sessions, the middle one decided to stretch her wings and just flew out.

That is me and papa looking at that daring act by my middle sister.

She had a safe landing next to Mr H (by which he could click these two shots) After ambling around on the terrace for some time she hopped on to this wooden chair and from there on to the railing.

The tree close by must have been very inviting for her as she too flew into it. Mama and Papa were very concerned and followed her. There were a few crows around and mama & papa had a tough time chasing them away.

That is them taking a respite and making sure that the coast is clear of those pesky crows.

Now it is only me and I am kind of feeling lonely and sad.

Don’t I look like the boy who is punished in the class room and made to stand in the corner.

Enough of hanging around the nest. I think I too will take that flight to freedom.

So I follow the same pattern that I saw earlier this morning. I too land safely on the terrace.

Aha so that is the kitchen.

I try and try and finally hop into the kitchen.

Does that picture make me look angry? Maybe I am giving Shantabai (the maid) a mouthful. “Shantabai, this is the first time I am coming to your kitchen and you have not made anything special for me?”

Just joking. Actually she too is one of the household members who used to keep a keen watch on our progress.

But my entry into the kitchen had mama and papa in a panic. They too entered. Here you can see me on the floor and mama sitting on the meal safe.

Papa got in and was stuck at the window and did not know how to get out.

Finally I hoped out and so did mama. But papa was really stuck (finally Mr H had to slowly slide open the glass window so that he could fly out)

Miss Pigeon sitting on her pedestal outside was all perplexed by the confusion that was going on.

I sat in a corner for some time where mama used to come and feed me from time to time.

Hopped on to the big slippers and rested there.

Walked under the big wooden chairs (does all this remind you of the movie “Honey I shrunk the kids”)

Is it a bad bad world out there ?

But that is life. One can’t always be under the care of the parents for ever.

So that is the last you see of me as I too am going to join my sisters in that tree. Maybe mama will feed us for some more days till our body is fully formed and then we are on our own.

Who knows I may come back here one day to make my own nest !!

But before I go I would like you to see that picture which was termed as yuck by my elder sister in the second episode of this story. (as both of them are not around I can show it to you, and yes that is me in the shell, still to be hatched)

hey! no one is getting bored here. In fact I have been following the career of this bird family with great interest. And now that the fledgelings have finally learned to fly and they are out there on their own, i am actually feeling quite sentimental...lol

Superb post indeed...and quite a experience you and your family must have had watching this at close quarters... i am glad you took the effort to share it with us :)

Never was this bird story boring. The ghost narrator has told their tale in a most charming way. There is much reveled in the dedication witnessed...the careful turning of the eggs, the feeding of the young, the balance of providing protection and urging toward competence and a new generation. I am glad these birds picked your family for neighbors...wisdom was at work.

I really liked these pictures. I have just read the Hindi story "Nadaan Dost" by Premchand in my school textbook.In that story too a bird builds a nest in the home of two children. But that story had a sad end. I am very happy to see the little birds fly away

Darn, I read the last post first. Even though I didn't follow the proper sequent, this documentary is amazing. You must consider making this a picture book. It appears you have a bit of Dr. Doolittle in you, and clearly, the birds are very intelligent and talented, too. And what beauties.

I have trees in my yard that are an absolute eyesore. Still I won't cut them down because of the birds they attract in winter. And guess what? For the first time, I spotted a hummingbird in the yard. I so love birds.

You are having a great time and we too.Your pictures are very clear and beautiful.Your plants look healthy and well kept.Lots of hard work there.I think i know someone who is going to love this bird-series.Once again thanks for sharing.

It was a wonderful experience following the birds' story. And the way you've narrated it with a generous dose of some lovely still shots, we couldn't have asked for anything better! Hope to hear more such stories of life around :)

@ ShaliniYes, the last one had a free access to our home. Hope she returns one day.

@ ChintamaniYes I made sure that all photographs were taken without disturbing their natural movements.

@ WandaThanks Wanda

@ ShreeyaYes Premchand has got some good collection of stories.

@ SanguYes the little one too flew away and due course she will find a mate

@ Talli RolandThanks Talli

@ ShellieThere must be some truth in that Dr Doolittle thing, as both the chicks flew out in my direction. I thought they were supposed to be scared of humans.As for your yard, keep the trees and greenery and see the birds slowly flocking in.

@ viciousThanks there.

@ ButtercupGood to know that you enjoyed.

@ ShiongeYes had to click lots of pictures and these are some of the best.Good to know that you enjoyed Animal Planet

@ KavitaYes we did have a great time observing them on a daily basis.Oh yes Sandhya did login in and has left a comment (in fact she has commented on all the three posts)

@ RGBWhat you said is true. Still shots have more effect than a movie.

@ SandhyaGood to know that you enjoyed it. Thanks for taking time and commenting on all the three episodes.

@ AnnThanks Ann. Yes we all are feeling the empty nest syndrome, but its also a good feeling that it was a successful breeding season for them.

@ Fickle cattleThanks for that.

@ HilaryThanks Hilary. A sprinkle of humour keeps it interesting.

@ RachnaThanks Rachna

@ IndraniYes we are also looking forward for the next season.

@ $$You are lucky to have birds in your balcony. There are some who don’t even get to see that too.

this is fascinating and very moving. you've done a terrific job with the photos and capturing the whole process. Awesome.

P.s. Nice of you to stop by my blog. I'd love to know more about the book you have about Liz Taylor. She was a true beauty and a real live super star. Take care, Keri from: www.alwayscurtsywhenyousneeze.com

@ RenuGood to know that you enjoyed it. Hey as for the house, I can give you a link by which you can see the rest of the house.

@RadhaOh yes the Owl thing was another saga. And come to think of it, one Owl spend the whole night on our terrace last week. We did not disturb her, but in the morning we had to clean all the droppings.

About Me

. . . . . An Indian, born and bred in Bombay (now Mumbai) having spend the last 40 years in Pune (earlier Poona). Have been into photography for quite some time but got hold of a digital in 2003 and since then have been shooting away to glory. Hate posed photographs and like to shoot the daily life around us.
In Blogs world I am known as Haddock and in Flickr world its JimReeves (my fav country singer)
Happiness is available. Please help yourself to it. . . . If you are happy, all will profit from it.
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